For much of President Donald Trump's second term, the Republican Party has largely followed his directives. However, in Indiana and Kansas, efforts to redraw congressional districts to favor Republican candidates ahead of the 2026 elections appear stymied.
Despite considerable efforts from the White House, including meetings with legislative leaders, both states face significant resistance. In Indiana, GOP leaders report insufficient votes to enact new district maps, which have made them outliers among states with Republican-controlled legislatures.
As a counter-move, Democratic states with their own redistricting plans are preparing to challenge any Republican advances. Virginia, for instance, is set to deliberate on redistricting in a special legislative session shortly.
Resistance in Indiana
Indiana, which currently sends seven Republicans and two Democrats to the House, has been a focal point for redistricting efforts, but support among Republican senators is waning. A spokesperson for the Senate Leader indicated the proposal lacks sufficient support, including opposition from over a dozen members of the GOP.
Arguments against redistricting range from concerns over potentially competitive Republican districts to moral objections regarding manipulating voter demographics between elections. State Senator Spencer Deery stated, We are being asked to create a culture where political parties can select their voters anytime elections loom. He reiterated the importance of fairness in the political process.
State officials, while acknowledging the political implications of gerrymandering, argue that it's been a long-standing practice by Democratic states. Republican senator Chris Garten noted this long-standing issue should not prevent Republicans from seeking fair representation.
Kansas Faces Similar Issues
In Kansas, the GOP is considering calling a special session, an action rarely taken in the state’s legislative history, to push through redistricting plans. However, overcoming Gov. Laura Kelly’s anticipated veto poses a significant challenge. The potential special session requires a two-thirds majority of authorizing signatures in both chambers, leaving little margin for error.
Republicans may target U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, a Democrat whose district includes a traditionally competitive area, but divisions within the party and among constituents complicate the redistricting aims. Some moderate Republicans are hesitant about redistricting mid-cycle, indicating they prefer aligning with census data to reflect population changes.
As the redistricting deadline looms, it remains to be seen whether Indiana and Kansas can align their party goals with the popular sentiment of their voters, potentially challenging Trump's strategy heading into critical midcontinental elections.
